'The Sandman' Season 2 Unveils Episodes, Including Bonus Special

It is quickly becoming a truth universally acknowledged that Netflix has won the streaming wars in the U.S., at least in terms of subscription numbers*. However, the platform is being a spoilsport in victory, unwilling to admit it was wrong about binge-watching. Instead, it's turned to batch drops. Seasons are split in two without so much as a by-your-leave from the director, and zero regard for the story, hurting series like The Crown and Bridgerton along the way. Flagship series Stranger Things will have its final season broken up into three parts, as will The Sandman, with a dozen chapters of Dream’s story spread from July 3 to July 31, 2025. 

(*YouTube remains the number one platform in viewership.) 

Netflix's data told its executives that viewers loved binge-watching, but that was because the shows they were watching were "library shows" that had been on for multiple seasons and followed a formula in every episode. Viewers had likely seen many of the episodes before, including Grey's Anatomy, Law & Order, and the like. It took Disney+ to set the world straight again by returning to the weekly format, reminding everyone that the way for a show to reliably build word of mouth was one episode a week releases. At this point, nearly every streaming service has transitioned to distributing the bulk of its new shows weekly... except for Netflix. 

The irony of this should not be lost on anyone and serves as a warning to future entertainment companies that this is what happens when you fall asleep at the wheel. Someone with absolutely terrible ideas shows up, nearly destroys your business, and then slowly admits you were right about everything, even as they put you out of business. (Capitalism!) 

Netflix has been full of ideas that didn't work, from the idea that no one wants the theatrical experience to the utter failure of binge-watching. Fellas, at this point, why don't you just admit defeat?

Here's the synopsis. 

After a fateful reunion with his family, Dream of the Endless must face one impossible decision after another as he attempts to save himself, his kingdom, and the waking world from the epic fallout of his past misdeeds. To make amends, Dream must confront longtime friends and foes, gods, monsters, and mortals. But the path to forgiveness is full of unexpected twists and turns, and true absolution may cost Dream everything.

And here are the episode titles:

Volume 1:

• Episode 1: "Season of Mists"
• Episode 2: "The Ruler of Hell"
• Episode 3: "More Devils Than Vast Hell Can Hold"
• Episode 4: "Brief Lives"
• Episode 5: "The Song of Orpheus"
• Episode 6: "Family Blood"

Volume 2:

• Episode 7: "Time & Night"
• Episode 8: "Fuel For The Fire"
• Episode 9: "The Kindly Ones"
• Episode 10: "Long Live the King"
• Episode 11: "A Tale of Graceful Ends"

BONUS EPISODE 

• "Death: The High Cost of Living"

Alongside Sturridge as Dream, the series also stars Kirby Howell-Baptiste (Culprits) as Death, Mason Alexander Park (Quantum Leap) as Desire, Donna Preston (Bad Tidings) as Despair, Adrian Lester (Renegade Nell) as Destiny, Esme Creed-Miles (The Doll Factory) as Delirium, and Barry Sloane (Passenger) as Destruction. 

Other cast members returning for Season 2 include Patton Oswalt (What We Do in the Shadows) as Matthew the Raven, Vivienne Acheampong (Everything Now) as Lucienne, Gwendoline Christie (Game of Thrones) as Lucifer Morningstar, Jenna Coleman (The Jetty) as Johanna Constantine, Ferdinand Kingsley (Silo) as Hob Gadling, Stephen Fry (Heartstopper) as Gilbert, Asim Chaudhry (The Completely Made Up Adventures of Dick Turpin) as Abel, Sanjeev Bhaskar (Unforgotten) as Cain, Razane Jammal (Doubt) as Lyta Hall, and Vanesu Samunyai as Rose Walker.

Heinberg has taken over as series showrunner, with Jamie Childs (His Dark Materials) directing all episodes. Series writers include Ameni Rozsa, Alex Newman-Wise, Austin Guzman, Shadi Petosky, Jim Campolongo, Vanessa Benton, Jay Franklin, Greg Goetz, and Marina Marlens.

The Sandman Season 2, Volume 1 will premiere on Netflix on July 3, with Episodes 1 through 6. Volume 2, with Episodes 7-11, will follow on July 24, and the bonus 12th episode will conclude the series on July 31, 2025.